Head Of Financial Accounting And Reporting

The Financial Accounting, Reporting and Control team lead on the production of the Department for Business and Trade's (DBT's) financial accounts, DBT’s relationship with the National Audit Office (NAO) and providing advice on compliance with HM Treasury and Cabinet Office controls.

The team are critical in embedding high quality Financial Accounting controls practices and processes in DBT, within and beyond the Finance team.

The Financial Accounting and Reporting team is at the heart of the creation of the new Department, and you will be part of the creation of the first set of consolidated accounts for the Department for Business and Trade, working with colleagues in DSIT and DESNZ, as well as the NAO and HMT, to split the BEIS accounts, before preparing the DBT accounts.

These are high profile roles within the Finance directorate, and you will share your Financial Accounting expertise with stakeholders across the department, such as through assessing business cases and investment decisions, and working with finance professionals in DBT’s partner organisations, to ensure the Financial Accounting and budgeting implications are clearly understood.

The Role

Head of Financial Accounting Reporting is an accounting expert with strong interpersonal relationships. They understand the Departmental group landscape and are able translate and present complex financial information clearly. They provide valuable financial advice, challenge and support, strategic insight and Financial Accounting solutions to financial experts and senior stakeholders across the Departmental Group.

The Head of Financial Accounting and Reporting roles will oversee the Group consolidation, leading a small team of finance professionals and contributing to the work of the wider finance directorate. You will need to be self-starting, flexible and proactive to respond to complex and diverse financial management challenges and to provide an efficient and effective service to both DBT’s finance team, its Partner Organisations, as well as teams across DBT. You will be a results-driven, collaborative player, with excellent attention to detail and the ability and communication skills to build good working relationships at all levels across the DBT family.

We will provide you with the opportunity for a diverse, exciting, and worthwhile career. We will support you with training and development.

Responsibilities are varied, but will include:

• Building strong relationships with finance leads across the Departmental Group and supporting them in developing advice to senior officials covering financial matters including Accounting and Reporting issues, working across Finance as appropriate.
• Championing the importance of value for money and strong financial management, insight and stewardship of public funds, underpinned by effective planning, forecasting, risk management and internal controls.
• Leading on the production of Financial statements including notes to the accounts, commissioning and collating information required for the accounts.
• Playing a key role developing and maintaining the relationship with the National Audit Office, ensuring a good working relationship, excellent communications and delivery of on-time and accurate financial and other information.
• Playing an important role in the leadership of the Finance Function across DBT, helping build and develop financial capability and professionalism both inside the function and across DBT.
• Supporting the Financial Controller as a trusted advisor for Finance matters in DBT.
• Building a trusted relationship with the Finance member of the DBT Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, who leads on Financial Statements.
• Working alongside Finance colleagues in the department to ensure that best practice is implemented across the unit and ensuring that all known technical accounting issues are dealt with in a timely and planned manner.
• Building an in-depth knowledge of the areas of the Department for which you are responsible, understanding the financial and performance drivers, risks, opportunities and issues.
• Supporting senior stakeholders and DGs through the transition to the new Department, working through ambiguity and championing change.
• Champion a culture of collaboration and improving financial capability and understanding across business areas.
• Lead and develop a small team of finance professionals.